I struggled through the fallen limbs and briars cluttering the mountain trail. Droplets trickled down my face from the sweat of my brow, the arduous journey almost over. The ridgetop was in view — a glorious transformation in sight. Just a little farther and the struggle would be worth it.
The height would offer a magnificent view of my beloved Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Lord, the birdsong outside my window is glorious. The simple praise of my feathered friends brings me back to the center and reminds me that You are in the details of my life, big and small. Even the little irritants — the little foxes — can be used by You for my good and Your glory.
When I keep my eyes on You, the things of earth grow dim, they lose their power over me. When I keep my eyes on You, my heart is kept in peace and thankfulness escapes my lips.
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The water flowed freely, cascading over river boulders, plummeting over the edge into the cove...
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Crushing heartbreak seared through my thoughts, impacting my spirit, bending me over with despair. Tears streamed with reckless abandon saturating the open pages of my Bible as I cried out to the One who loves me.
He loves me through thick and thin with more love than I can possibly imagine in my wildest dreams.
Or yours.
He loves us.
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Sunshine bathed my face in warm light as I gazed at the sapphire sky of October. Peace stirred within me — a peace long sought after. I walked up the gravel drive of the country church nestled in our mountain hollar. Sitting down on the church’s top step, I wrapped my arms around my knees, intertwined my fingers, gently rocked, and thought of the Lord, the Keeper of my soul.
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Thank You for going before me into all of my tomorrows. You lift me up when I struggle to stand. You carry me with Your strength when I’m too weak to go on. You shelter me in the shadow of Your wing and lift up Your banner of war against my enemy. I praise You for Your love.
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For me, especially right now, your grace sustains me. Maybe for someone else it is courage or peace or hope. Maybe it’s joy. All of these things are the perfect gift from You waiting to be unwrapped to meet a need.
But it’s up to us to unwrap them.
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I lift up others who are burdened and heavy-laden. I know Your heart is already turned toward them for You promise that Your eyes roam to and fro upon the earth seeking those who need to be strengthened. How sweet is that? The thought of You searching out Your hurting child blesses me beyond words.
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You use everything in our life as we yield to You. Even those things that are dead or ineffecient that You cause to fall away, can be used for Your glory as we listen for Your guidance. Our lessons learned keep the roots of faith warmed during winter seasons for those who are hurting. If we yield to You. If we are willing to use our pain and struggles and lessons learned to strengthen othe
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Do I realize that God’s glory comes from within and isn’t contingent on my circumstances? The maple tree must know this because it is rejoicing with magnificent color, even though winter is coming. Do I walk in the knowledge that my life can give praise simply for who He is in the face of barren, bleak circumstances?
Paganini, a famous Italian violinist said, “Music is not in the instrument, but in the soul.”
Freely given is His peace “lying so deeply within the human heart that no external difficulty or disturbance can reach it.”
And His peace remains for the child of God, a deep cistern of calm in the midst of the fiercest storm.
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I bring my friends — my readers — before Your throne of grace. I ask that You shower them with Your many blessings of favor. Cause them to dance in the joy that You are with them and You delight in their love. Let them find Your faithfulness in all things that concern them.
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